LCI-based Center for Heat Resilient Communities is now accepting applications

To engage and support 10 communities and tribal entities in determining the best strategies for local heat mitigation and management

By Mara Elana Burstein

The LCI-based Center of Excellence for Heat Resilient Communities is now accepting applications to engage and support 10 communities and tribal entities in determining their best local heat mitigation and management strategies. The inaugural cohort will have access to new tools and planning resources, peer learning, and comprehensive educational support from a team of over 50 diverse researchers, practitioners, and community leaders. As a result, communities will create locally tailored blueprints for heat action aligned with available planning and funding opportunities. 

Local, tribal, and territorial governments and their departments are eligible to apply. Non-governmental organizations that play a leadership role in a community’s heat resilience efforts may also apply with support from local jurisdictions with policymaking authority. Applicants are encouraged to engage with community-based or community-serving institutions.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their demonstrated commitment to collaborating with community groups to reduce impacts on people who are most at risk, their capacity to work collaboratively across departmental boundaries, and their explanation of how participation with the CHRC fits into the communities’ existing and planned efforts, commitments, and campaigns.

The goal is to protect public health and well-being from acute and chronic heat dangers in diverse communities and heat-exposure settings through local technical assistance and improved state and federal support.

Apply by January 24th: final selections will be made in early 2025. Before starting your application, please review the Application Supplement and the Application Form Preview. To access application materials, see the Application Form and Community Worksheet. Please contact heat@ucla.edu for inquiries not covered in the Application Supplement.

To sign up for open Q+A sessions with the Center staff, use the links below:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Integrated Heat Health Information System Center of Excellence for Heat Resilient Communities is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (2022). It is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. 

To join the Center for Heat Resilient Communities listserv, click here

To learn more about LCI’s research, see our heat equity web pages.